SNEAKY MOVES

 "Well " says Granny Fortuna once their visitor is inside " why are you here ? "

For a minute there is just silence then Bruno says " I asked her to come "

Granny glares at Bruno " You did ! Why may I ask "

" B b b  ecause we n n need help " stutters Bruno under granny's hard stare " We are never going to get this s  s  shop open before Christmas if we don't have another pair of hands " 

" I could have hired someone " Granny states

" But you didn't !" Bruno continues warming to his subject and his stutter disappearing " you have just buried your head in the sand muttering and groaning and we have both been exhausted and barely able to climb the stairs to bed all week "

Granny's face softens " But we are almost done "

Bruno rolls his eyes " We are not ! then when we open there will just be you all day until I'm home from school and then just me ! If we have help, there will be time for you to rest more in the evenings and at the weekends "

Granny knows Bruno is talking sense but she's not giving in easy .

"And what do you know about shop keeping and customer service ? " she casks her glare on her granddaughter 

" Well I helped in Mumma's bakery " Granny makes the sign of the cross at mention of her late child " then after she died I helped Papa until he sold the business "

" You would have been but a baby " scoffs Granny

"Mumma took me everyday and when I was big enough I stood on a chair and served the customers from behind the counter " She responded a little angrily " I am a good hard worker !"

" Mmm " Granny replied " That's for me to decide whether you are any good . You can start now, help Bruno finish those shelves, he's taking forever , then get this floor cleared "

" You can sleep in the little bedroom at the back " she says as she heads off

" What about pets ? " 

" Nasty dirty creatures, no pets allowed , so decide  the job or the pet " Granny hurries off.

"Welcome home " says Bruno with a big grin patting her on the shoulder " It will be so nice to have you here "

" But what about Mini ? " She whispers " I cannot leave her alone all day plus it's getting cold out , she needs shelter "

" Take her round the back , there is a couple of outhouses, put her in the one by the gate and I'll bring out a blanket and a heater, she'll be fine there for a while " says Bruno.

" Okay but she's good at escaping I don't know how long it will work " she sighs

" Come on think positive , if you make yourself indispensable she'll accept Mini " say Bruno , veer the optimist 

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